News Briefs on The LoJo in February-March 2021
By Jim Turner

Mar 25, 2021

Ennis' bombs end

Lady Panthers' season

Junior Raven Ennis kept blasting 3-pointers, including one at the end of each first-half quarters, and led homestanding Barren County to a 58-49 season-ending win over Russellville in the first round of the girls Fourth Region Tournament Thursday. Anastasia Dowlen of Russellville was the dominant player early, hitting three straight shots to put her team up 6-2. She scored 10 points in the first quarter but only 4 more in the final three quarters. Teammate Amiyah Collier was solid throughout the game and finished with 19 points. Chloe Whitescarver hit a pair of third-quarter 3-pointers. But Ennis hit seven 3-pointers and finished with 26 points. Emma Hughes added 11. Barren County is the second-ranked team in the region. Coach Ryan Davenport's Lady Panthers finished the season 10-11.

Mar 24, 2021

Logan Schools plan

preschool screenings

Logan County Schools will be having preschool screenings on May 10-13 at the Logan County Career and Technical Center. These screenings are by appointment only. Call Kim Guffy at 270-726-2436 to set up an appointment.

Mar 24, 2021

Lady Panthers to open region

at Barren County Thursday

The Russellville Lady Panthers will open regional play at Barren County High School. Barren is the 15^th District champion at Diddle Arena. Winners at the four high schools will play the semifinals Friday and Saturday. Russellville’s game would be Friday at 6 p.m. against the Greenwood-Metcalfe County winner. The finals will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at Diddle.

Mar 23, 2021

RHS Class of '71 to plan reunion

Any member of the 1971 graduating class at Russellville High School who is interested in a 50th year reunion should contact David Guion by   Wednesday, March 31, by calling 270-779-1521.

Mar 19, 2021

Franklin beats Lady Panthers

for district championship

Franklin-Simpson took advantage of Russellville star center Anastasia Dowlen battling a shoulder injury Friday on the way to a 53-32 win over the visiting Franklin-Simpson in the championship game of the 13th District Tournament. Dowlen didn't score until she hit a free throw in the third quarter and finished with 3 points. F-S led 17-11, 35-1 and 39-24 at the first three stops. Senior Macaria Hines scored 5 of RHS' 6 third quarter points, all coming in the last 70 seconds. Amiyah Collier led RHS (10-10) with 11 points. Inside players Alera Barbe & Hadley Turner scored 14 and 10 for the winners (13-7) with guards Malyea Partinger & Kate Norwood adding 13 and 11. Both teams begin regional play next Thursday.

Mar 19, 2021

Hall of Fame journalist Al Smith
passes away in Florida

On the last day of winter 2021, legendary former Russellville journalist Al Smith, 94, died at his home in his native Sarasota, Fla., Saturday afternoon. His death had been expected because of renal failure. Mr. Smith came to Russellville in the mid-1950s as editor the News-Democrat. In the late 1960s he and his partners started The Logan Leader and soon bought the older paper. In the mid-70s, they started Al Smith Communications with papers in Cadiz, Morgantown, Lietchfield and London along with Russellville. He effectively moved from Logan County in 1980 when he moved to Washington, D.C. for a role in the administration of President Jimmy Carter, and he also served under President Ronald Reagan. He was founding host of Comment on Kentucky on KET for decades and of AOK Primeline on radio stations all over the state.
Mr. Smith is survived by his wife Martha Helen Smith of Sarasota, his son Carter Hancock of Louisville, and his daughters, Catherine Hancock McCarty of Birmingham and Ginny Smith Major of Hartford, Conn., and five grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in Lexington sometime in the fall when pandemic conditions have hopefully improved.

Mar 19, 2021

RHS to open region Sunday at AC-S

The Russellville Panthers (9-10) will play 15th District champion Allen County-Scottsville (15-7) on the road Sunday at 3 p.m. in the first round of the Fourth Region Tournament. The scheduled game between the schools in the regular season was cancelled because of COVID. The KHSAA RPI standings make the Patriots a 10-point favorite. Tickets are available for $8 at RHS until 5 p.m. Friday and from 4-6 p.m. Saturday.

Mar 18, 2021

Franklin at home on foul

line in district finals

Franklin-Simpson hit 24 of 28 free throws Thursday, including 14 of 16 in the fourth quarter, on the way to a 73-62 district championship win over visiting Russellville, which went 6 of 8 at the line. The game featured a scoring dual between Franklin's Andreyas Miller (27 points) and the Panthers' Jaquis Todd (29). Secondary battles featured the Wildcats' Gabe Jones and DeMarcus Hogan (13 each) and RHS' Lennon Ries (12) and Josh Allen (10). The Panthers trailed by a single point at the first two stops and by four entering the final period. The margin was still four with 1:48 left, but the Panthers didn't score again, and the home team hit all those free throws. Both teams play their regional openers Sunday at 3 p.m.

Mar 17, 2021

Lady Panthers win district Clash

Amiyah Collier built a first half lead for the Russellville Lady Panthers and teammates Anastasia Dowlen and Macaria Hines were the leaders in holding off a late Logan County surge in a 44-39 RHS win in the 13^th District Tournament at Franklin-Simpson Wednesday. Collier scored the last seven points of the first half, five of them coming on her steals, to put Coach Ryan Davenport’s team ahead 25-16 at the half. Collier had scored 13 of her 15 points at the break. With Dowlen and Hines coming to life offensively, RHS led from 7 to 9 much of the third quarter, but Logan roared back behind the shooting of Abby Hinton, whose long three pulled the Lady Cougars to within 41-39 with 2:05 remaining. Logan didn’t score again. Dowlen scored on a strong move, Hines hit a free throw, and Jaylah Kees stole Logan’s final inbounds pass. Gracie Borders led the Lady Cougars with 11 points and Hinton, who didn’t shoot the first half, added 9. The teams combined for 41 turnovers, 12 held balls, and 14 of 40 free throw shooting. RHS plays F-S in Friday’s championship game.

Mar 15, 2021

Lennon Ries leads Panthers

to district Clash win

Lennon Ries scored 12 straight of Russellville’s points in the fourth quarter to hold off every Logan County comeback attempt on the way to a Panther victory in the 13^th  District Clash of the Cats Monday at Franklin-Simpson. With the 47-39 win, the 9-9 Panthers earned a berth in Thursday’s championship game and next week’s Fourth Region Tournament. Ries finished with 16 points and Jaquis Todd 12 for the winners. Jovari Gamble and Josh Allen were strong inside and Kendahl Edmonds hit two early 3-pointers. Jaden Sells played his best game ever for the Cougars and finished with a game-high 20 points. Chance Sweeney hit a pair of 3-pointers on the way to 10 points for 4-13 Logan County.

Mar 15, 2021

Cats to Clash in district tonight

It will be Clash of the Cats III for Russellville and Logan County today when the boys teams meet in the opening round of the 13th District Tournament at Franklin-Simpson at 7 p.m. Coach Carlos Quarles'  Panthers have won the first two Clashes this season by scores of 56-50 and 53-42. Russellville is 8-9 overall, 4-6 in the region and 4-2 in the district. The Cougars are coached by Nathan Thompson, a former RHS Athletic Director who played in three state tournaments for the Panthers. His team is 4-12 overall, 1-11 in the region and 1-5 in the district. The Kentucky High School Athletic Association's RPI makes the Panthers a six-point favorite. The game will be carried live on WRUS.

Mar 12, 2021

Three local players named

All-Region for season play

Three of the five 13^th District basketball players who were named among the top 30 in the Fourth Region are from the Land of Logan. Senior Anthony ‘Rooster’ Woodard was named to the boys second team. He was the only Logan County High boy or girl honored. Junior Anastasia Dowell and sophomore  Amiyah Collier of Russellville were named to the third team. They were the only RHS players honored. The other two 13^th District players honored were first teamer Andreyas Miller and second teamer Kate Norwood, both of Franklin-Simpson. Former Lady Cougar Assistant Coach Zach Simpson, now the Greenwood head coach, was named Girls Coach of the Year. The boys Player of the year is Bowling Green’s Isaiah Mason, who is the son of former Cougar standout Montez Mason and his wife Jessica. Isaiah Mason and Rooster Woodard are cousins. Mason is a Mr. Kentucky finalist.

Mar 10, 2021

Lady Cougars top Todd,

Cougars fall by a point

Two more Clashes of the Cats will be featured in next week's 13th District Tournament. With senior Abby Hinton scoring 20 points, the Logan County Lady Cougars won 41-30 at Todd Central Wednesday to secure the number three seed and a district matchup with the Russellville Lady Panthers, Logan led 34-12 late in the third quarter and held on for the win. Meanwhile Coach Nathan Thompson’s Cougars also built a big lead over the Rebels before losing, but Todd took over the second quarter and led 29-28 at the half. The second half was tight throughout. Jaden Sells kept the Cougars in the game, and Landon Larson hit the second of two free throws with 14.4 seconds to put Logan up by one. Freshman Trayvon Foster stuck a rebound back in for the 46-45 winning points with 0:03. He scored all 7 of Todd's fourth quarter points. Preston Moore led the winners with 14 points. Rooster Woodard scored 19 for the Cougars. LCHS won the tiebreaker and will take on second-seeded Russellville in the district tournament.

Mar 10, 2021

Quarles to promote Ag Tags in Logan

Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles will visit county clerks in Daviess, Muhlenberg, and Logan counties on Friday, March 12 to promote his 2021 Ag Tag campaign. He will appear with Logan County Clerk Scottie Harper at 3 p.m. Kentucky motorists who buy or renew farm vehicle license plates, or “Ag Tags,” may make a voluntary donation of up to $10 to the Ag Tag Fund. Donations are divided equally among Kentucky 4-H, Kentucky FFA, and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for youth development and promotional programs. Half of the 4-H and FFA funds go back to the county where the Ag Tag is purchased to support local programming, awards, and scholarships.

Mar 6, 2021

Logan County duo wins

Muhlenberg bass tournament

From Logan County High School Athletic Director Greg Howard: Congratulations to Landon Momack and Damon Wright on taking their first place finish today at Lake Beshear. The anglers caught two fish for a total of 8.33 pounds. Today's tournament was put on by Muhlenberg County High School.

Mar 5, 2021

Panthers break open tie, sweep Clash

After Logan County’s Dakota Clinard scored at the third quarter buzzer to tie the Clash of the Cats 33-33, visiting Russellville went on a 16-point scoring streak, capped by Lennon Ries’ free throw and a Josh Allen rebound basket. Only 59 seconds remained when Blake Wood hit his fourth 3-pointer for the Cougars’ first points of the final stanza. Coach Carlos Quarles’ Panthers completed the sweep of the Cougars 53-42. Jaquis Todd scored 15 and Allen 11 to lead the win. Wood scored 17 points and Rooster Woodard 11 to lead the Cougars.

Mar 5, 2021

Lady Panthers edge LCHS

in Clash of Lady Cats

Eighth grader Lareesha Cawthorne’s last 3 of her game-high 13 points proved to be the game winner Friday as visiting Russellville edged Logan County 32-31 for a sweep of the Cats of the Lady Cats Friday. After five straight points by Gracie Borders in the last two minutes put Logan up 30-29, Cawthorne immediately matched Borders’ 3-pointer. Borders hit a free throw on the other end but missed the second with Cawthorne rebounding. RHS turned it over with 6 seconds left, but Lady Panther Anastasia Dowlen made a mid-air steal to seal the win. Amiyah Collier scored 8, Dowlen 6 and Chloe Whitescarver 5 in the win by Coach Ryan Davenport’s team. Only three Lady Cougars scored—Kadyn Costello with 12, Emerson McKinnis 10 and Borders 9. It was the fourth straight win for the 8-8 Lady Panthers.

Mar 2, 2021

Clash of the Cats to be played Friday,
Logan plays on WRUS tonight

The second Clash of the Cats for this season will be played this Friday at Logan County High School, COVID willing. It had to be postponed earlier in the season because of the virus. When the games were played in January, Russellville won both the girls and the boys division. The games will be broadcast on WRUS, as will tonight's doubleheader for South Warren at LCHS.

Mar 1, 2021

Logan County Schools to be open Tuesday

From Logan County Schools: Logan schools will be open Tuesday, March 2. However, due to flooded roadways across the county, there will be some routes that buses will be unable to complete. If your child's bus is not able to pick up your child tomorrow morning, and you cannot transport your student to school, please notify your child's school by 10 a.m. If your student is a car rider, please exercise caution when driving. If you are unable to make it to school safely, contact the school by 10 a.m.

Feb 28, 2021

Meeting for parents of Logan
Middle Baseball potential players set

A meeting will be held in the Multipurpose Room of the Logan County CTC Monday, March 1, at 6 p.m. for boys in grades six through eight in the Logan County Schools who want to try out for Logan County Middle School Baseball. Coaches Kelley Jordan and Chris Cartas along with varsity coach Ethan Meguiar will explain tryouts and what is expected during the season. An up-to-date physical will be required to participate. If you have questions, contact the coaches.

Feb 28, 2021

Logan Little League signups set Saturday

Signups and evaluations for 2021 Logan County Little League Baseball will be held at City-County Park in Russellville on Saturday, March 6, from  9 a.m.-4 p.m. Little Leagues is for ages 9-12.

Feb 28, 2021

Dunmor Deerlick Road to be

closed for drainage repair

The only roadwork scheduled this week In Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s District 3 which is not on a four-lane highway is in North Logan. A large drainage structure is to be replaced on KY 1293, the Dunmor Deerlick Road at Mile Point 2.9. The road is to be closed for two days. The KTC press release did not say if the schedule could be changed by today’s heavy rain and flood warnings. A message board will be in place.

Feb 23, 2021

East holds off visiting Panthers

in double overtime 78-69

The Russellville Panthers fought hard for a road win Tuesday but fell in double overtime to Warren East 78-69. The game featured 10 ties and 9 lead changes. Reserve Layne Steele hit four 3-pointers, three of them in the second quarter. He finished with 14 points, two behind Jaquis Todd. Jovari Gamble scored 12 points and Jackson Hampton, who hit some clutch shots to force overtimes, added 11. Kaleb Matlock scored 22 points for the Raiders with Tray Price scoring 17 and Linkin Lockhart 13. Devaughn Williams got some big rebounds and put-back buckets in the second OT and scored 11.

Feb 23, 2021

Lady Panthers win 45-43 at East

Coach Ryan Davenport's Russellville Lady Panthers kept coming back for a 45-43 win over the Lady Raiders in the opener of a twinbill at Warren East Tuesday. Sophomore Amiyah Collier scored 16 points with junior Anastasia Dowlen adding 11 points and 16 rebounds. Eighth grader Lareesha Cawthorne added 11 points, most of them in the second half. Chloe Whitescarver hit a key field goal late to tie the game before Dowlen scored the winning bucket on a rebound shot and added a free throw with 4.8 seconds. Often when the Lady Panthers were struggling, Jaylah Kees made big plays. Senior Lucy Lockhart scored 15 points and grabbed 16 points for East while classmate Caroline Forrester scored 13 points, including 7 in the fourth quarter. Reagan Lawson hit three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.

Feb 23, 2021

Logan tennis tryouts begin

From Logan County High School Athletic Director Greg Howard: Spring tennis tryouts will be on Thursday afternoon. We will try out in small groups to keep everyone safe. In order to do this we will need anyone interested to contact Coach Greta Winchester by email.. Students trying out must have a current KHSAA sports physical. 

Feb 23, 2021

RHS tennis, RMS baseball

tryouts underway

Russellville High School tennis and Russellville Middle School baseball is now organizing. Tennis met today and will again Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at the R21C at the Sixth Grade Academy Grades 7-12 are eligible. Will Carter is the coach and should be contacted by those unable to attend…Baseball is for grades 5-8 and is on the field. Practice was held today and is planned again Wednesday from 3:30-5:30 p.m. For information, contact RMS coach Tony Nichols or high school coach Robby McLellan.

Feb 21, 2021

Logan Schools to resume

NTI schedule Monday

From Director of Communications Madison Rose: Logan County Schools will be closed on Monday, Feb. 22. Our crews have been out all day today assessing county roads and have determined that it would be safest to have an NTI/virtual day tomorrow. For any questions, contact your school after 8 am. Stay safe!

Feb 18, 2021

Teachers to be vaccinated on Logan Snow Day, R'ville NTI Day

Teachers and other school personnel in the Russellville and Logan County school systems are scheduled to receive their second COVID vaccination Friday at the Logan County Career & Technical Center. Logan Memorial Hospital is assisting the schools in this effort. Logan County Superintendent Paul Mullins has said getting teachers and other school workers vaccinated is an important element in getting schools open for face-to-face classes. Logan schools will have a snow day Friday with no virtual classes. Russellville will be on an NTI schedule with virtual learning classes continuing.

Feb 18, 2021

Friday's Clash of the Cats postponed

Friday's scheduled Clashes of the Cats have been postponed, Logan County Athletic Director Greg Howard has announced. Russellville's boys and girls were to play at LCHS. Schools have been out of their buildings for over a week because of ice, snow, and very cold temperatures. Every effort will be made to reschedule the doubleheader in the next couple of weeks, officials from both schools have said.

Feb 16, 2021

City schools to remain on NTI schedule on Wednesday

Due to poor weather conditions, Russellville Independent Schools will not have in-person learning on Wednesday, Feb. 17. This will be an NTI day. Staff are encouraged to work from home. 

Feb 16, 2021

SKYCTC classes all

online rest of this week

All SKYCTC Campuses will remain closed through Friday. Employees will work remotely. Students should check Blackboard. Plan to return on Monday.

Feb 16, 2021

Logan Schools to continue

NTI schedule Wednesday

Logan County Schools will be closed Tuesday, Feb. 16, due to inclement weather. Students will be on NTI/virtual schedule. For any questions, contact your school after 8 a.m. 

Feb 15, 2021

Russellville Schools plan NTI day

From Superintendent Larry Joe Begley: Due to poor weather conditions, Russellville Independent Schools will not have in person learning on Tuesday, Feb. 16. This will be an NTI day. Staff are encouraged to work from home. 

Feb 13, 2021

RHS student photographer Addie Cundiff
wins Beta state championship

Russellville High School’s Addie Cundiff won two photography awards at this year’s virtual Kentucky State Beta Convention, including a state championship. She placed first in Black/White Photography and fourth in Color Photography. John Matthew Parrish was state runner-up in 10^th Grade Social Studies while Candace Baker placed fifth in Color Photography.

Feb 13, 2021

Senior citizens goody

bags available Tuesday

Description: Senior Citizens can get goody bags filled with small tools and resources to use during the pandemic. This will be a drive-through event this Tuesday, Feb. 16, from 1-3 p.m. at the Logan County Extension Service. The first 100 seniors will receive an easy grip jar opener. Russellville Rotary Club is a sponsor along with the Extension Service.

Feb 11, 2021

Logan Schools on virtual schedule

From Logan County Schools: "There will be no in-person small groups tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 12. Logan County Schools will be on our normal virtual schedule."

Feb 11, 2021

Russellville Schools closed again

From Superintendent Larry Begley: "Russellville Independent Schools will remain closed on Friday, Feb.12. This is another old-fashioned no school day. However, moving forward, if weather prevents us from having in-person instruction, we will utilize NTI days."

Feb 10, 2021

R'ville schools closed Thursday, Logan to be on NTI-virtual

Both local school systems will not have face-to-face classes Thursday. These are their announcements: Russellville Independent Schools will be closed on Thursday, Feb. 11. This is not an NTI day. This is an old-fashioned “no school” day… Logan County Schools will be closed Thursday, Feb. 11 due to inclement weather. Students will be on NTI/virtual schedule. For any questions, contact your school after 8 am. Logan County is under an Ice Storm Warning.

Feb 7, 2021

Jailer Phil Gregory hospitalized after fall in winter weather

Logan County Jailer Phil Gregory suffered what his daughter Valerie Gregory Hughes calls "a nasty fall" on ice Sunday. She writes on Facebook;: "He was taken by ambulance to Medical Center in BG. We were concerned because he kept passing out along with the inability to move his arm. He has a broken humerus just below the ball socket but the CT scan showed normal. Prayers are appreciated as he heals."

Feb 6, 2021

Bradshaw leads Knights to top

of conference standings

Former Russellville star basketball player Pedro Bradshaw led the Bellarmine Knights to their seventh straight win Friday, beating Jacksonville 71-56. Bradshaw had a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds; he added 5 assists. He had had scored 21 points on 9 of 13 shooting plus 6 rebounds and 3 assists in an 84-67 win over Kennesaw State a few days earlier. Bradshaw leads the Knights in scoring (14.9 per games), rebounding (7.3), free throws made (48) and steals (20 total). He’s second in minutes played (29.5 per game) and blocked shots (5). Meanwhile Coach Scott Davenport's  team, which is in Division I for the first year, leads the American Sun Conference standings, even though it is less than a fourth of the size of some member schools.

Feb 6, 2021

Transportation Cabinet

warns of scam text

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet  warns recipients of a text phishing attempt reported today impersonating a state agency. The text message includes a link and the sender is listed as "KYDOT." The text message is not from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and recipients are warned not to click the link that asks for personal information. The Cabinet does not send text messages that solicit  personal information. Victims who have submitted any personal information are advised to visit the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General website, to follow their guidance concerning potential identity theft.  

Feb 1, 2021

Auburn third graders

to study from home

Auburn School's third grade class will be on virtual until Feb. 10, based on the number of third grade students currently in quarantine. Parents of Auburn third grade students have been notified. Logan County Director of Communications Madison Rose says, “This decision is out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of all our students and staff. The district is working closely with the local health department to follow their guidelines.”

Feb 1, 2021

HCC announces honor

students from Logan

These students with Logan County addresses were named to the Dean’s List and Honor Roll at Hopkinsville Community College for the Fall 2020 semester: Marissa Jordan of Adairville: Adairville; Alexandria Johnson*, Christopher Barbee, Haley McGhee and Rachel Sears, all of Lewisburg; Abigayle Berry of Olmstead; and Makayla Heyduck of Russellville. The asterisk (*) indicates making the Dean’s List.